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CHRISTIAN ADVICES^ 




CHRISTIAN ADVICES: 



PUBLISHED BY THE 



YEARLY MEETING OF FRIENDS, 



HELD 



IN PHILADELPHIA, 









I • > ' ' - 




PHILADELPHIA: 


UM 


BER 8c CONRAD, PUBLISHERS, 




NO. 93, MARKET STREET. 




1808. 



M 






'mS 



INTRODUCTION. ' 



THE following extracts have been 
compiled for the benefit of the members 
of our Yearly Meeting, that observing 
the travail of the Church under various 
concerns, which in divine wisdom have 
been communicated for its weighty at- 
tention, they may be drawn to the princi- 
pie of Life and Light manifested in the 
mind, which points out the path of duty 
and can alone preserve therein. 

Our ancient Friends and their faithful 
successors to the present day, have earn- 



INTRODUCTION. 

estiy laboured to turn the attention of all 
to this pure spirit ; knowing from experi- 
ence, that it is the means appointed by 
God for effecting our salvation, and the 
only foundation of all true religion and 
worship. As by this we have been led 
into divers testimonies which have distin- 
guished us from most other professors of 
the Christian name, we fervently desire 
that all our members may walk by the 
same rule and mind the same thing ; 
thus every one filling his place in the 
body, we shall grow up into Him in all 
things, who is the Head, even Christ. 

Meeting for SufiTerings, Philadelphia, -^ 
Twelfth Month, 16th, 1808. 3 



BOOKS. 



THIS meeting doth earnestly exhort 
all parents, heads of families and guar- 
dians of minors, that they prevent as much 
as in them lies, their children and others 
under their care and tuition, from having 
or reading books and papers tending to 
prejudice the profession of the christian 
religion, lest their infant and feeble minds 
should be poisoned thereby and a founda- 
tion laid for the greatest evils. 

And it is earnestly recommended to 
every member of our religious society, 

A 



2 iSOOKS. 

that they avoid and discourage the reading 
of plays, romances, novels, and other per- 
nicious books, which evidently tend to 
strengthen the corrupt propensities of na- 
ture, to give the mind false ideas of plea- 
sure and happiness, and to disincline it to 
virtuous and praise- worthy pursuits. 



BURIALS. 



AS those who attend Burials may 
sometimes come from far and be in need 
of bodily refreshment, it is earnestly ad- 
vised that when this is really necessary it 
may be taken in moderation; and that 
Friends be careful to demean themselves 
with gravity and decency ; remembering 
that such seasons especially ought never 
to be perverted into opportunities for in- 
temperance or levity. And it is desired 
that when any thing unseemly appears, 
the offenders may be taken aside and ten- 
derly admonished, that so every thing 
tending to lessen the solemnity of suchoc- 
■ casions may be avoided. 



4 13URIALS- 

Advised, that Friends be careful them- 
selves and discourage their children from 
attending the w^orship of those not in com- 
munion with us, and particularly at bu- 
rials : seeing that in so doing there is a 
danger either of balking their testimony 
for the truth and wounding their own 
minds, or giving unnecessary offence to 
their sober neighbours. 

Friends are advised against imitating 
the vain custom of wearing or giving 
mourning habits, and against affixing any 
monuments of wood or stone to graves, 
aiid all extravagant expences about the 
interment of the dead. 

And it is recommended that at all 
our interments time be allowed for a 
solemn pause both before and after the 
corpse is put into the ground. 



CHARITY AND UNITY. 



AMONG the gospel precepts, we 
find not any thing more strongly and fre- 
quently recommended by our Lord Jesus 
Christ and his Apostles to the primitive 
believers, than that they should love one 
another; and as we are sensible that no- 
tliing will more contribute to the peace 
and prosperity of the Church than a due 
regard to this advice, so we earnestly de- 
sire that it may be the care and concern 
of all Friends to dwell therein, and in the 
unity of the Holy Spirit to maintain love, 
concord and peace, in and among all the 
Churches of Christ. 

Love and unity being the special badge 
of disciplesliip by which the real foUow- 

A 2 



6 CHARITY AND UNITY. 

ers of Christ are ever to be distinguished, 
we tenderly desire that it may be always 
preserved among us, and that every thing 
which tends to rob us of it be carefully 
shunned ; for without it, however earnest 
our zeal for the cause of truth in other 
respects may appear, formality will take 
place of the substance, and the life .and 
power of true religion be withdrawn. 
Let every one therefore watch over his 
own heart, and often examine whether he 
therein finds love to God and to the bre- 
thren his motive to action on all occa- 
sions, but more especially when we meet 
together for Divine worship and the sup- 
port of the Discipline. 

Let a spirit of love and humility more 
and more diffuse itself among us, and in- 
fluence the hearts of all; thus every one 
will be engaged to seek peace, and none 
be apt to take offence; but each in his 



CHARITY AND UNITY. 7 

own particular be more cartful to rectify 
his own failings and imperfections than 
curious in observing, censuring and ag- 
gravating those of others. 

Dear Friends seek peace and pursue 
it. Ye are called to love. O that the 
smallest germ of enmity might be eradi- 
cated from our inclosure! And verily 
there is a soil in which it cannot live, but 
naturally withers and dies. This soil is 
christian humility : a state highly becom- 
ing and indispensable for a being who de- 
pends continually on the favours of his 
Lord ; a state in which of all others he 
can most acceptably approach his pre- 
sence; and a state which naturally con- 
ducts frail man to love and compassion, 
for the companions of his frailty, and po- 
verty, yet his fellow partakers of the offer- 
ed riches of the Gospel 



CIVIL GOVERNMENT. 



A fervent concern prevailing for the 
preservation of our members in a faithful 
maintenance of our religious testimonies, 
it is desired that all may be drawn to deep 
inward watchfulness against every pre- 
sentation either for acquiring gain by trade 
and commerce dependent on war, or the 
attainment of worldly honour in accepting 
of posts or oilices in civil government, 
which often expose to the violation of 
divers testimonies, particularly that res- 
pecting oaths. 

It is earnestly desired and recommend- 
ed that the members of our religious so- 



CIVIL GOVERNMENT. 9 

ciety may maintain an inoffensive, circum- 
spect demeanour towards all men, mani- 
festing in their lives and conversation a 
subjection to the peaceable spirit of Christ, 
which will preserve fi^om giving just oc- 
casion of offence to any, and from being 
betrayed into those heats and controver- 
sies which frequently prevail respecting 
the policies and governments of this 
Avorld: for as we are called to shew forth 
in life and practice our belief that the 
peaceful reign of the Messiah is begun in 
the earth and will advance to its designed 
completion, when according to the pro- 
phecies of Isaiah and Micah, " Nation 
shall not lift up sword against nation, nei- 
ther shall they learn war any more," we 
cannot be concerned in any combinations 
of a hostile nature, nor oppose those under 
whose outward government we are pro- 
videntially placed ; nor can we unite with 



10 CIVIL GOVERNMENT. 

or encourage such as revile or asperse 
them : but remembering that the Lord 
ruleth over the kingdoms of men, we 
should patiently resign tothe dispensations 
of his wisdom and power, and seek to be 
endued wdth the spirit of prayer and sup- 
plication for all men, that we may be per- 
mitted to lead a quiet and peaceable life 
in all godliness and honesty. " For this 
(as said the apostle) is good and acceptable 
in the sight of God our Saviour.'' 



CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION- 



IT is desired that Friends may be 
guarded in their conduct at all times and 
on all occasions, that no stumbling block 
be laid in the way of honest inquirers after 
truth, nor offence given to tender minds 
under convince ment. *' Let your light 
(said Christ) so shine before men, that 
they may see your good works, and glo- 
rify your father which is in heaven." Our 
moderation and prudence, as well as truth 
and justice, should appear in trading and 
commerce, in speech and communication, 
in eating and drinking, in habit and furni- 
ture, and in all thingH that, as we pro- 
fess to be a spiritually minded people, we 



12 CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION- 

may manifest by a meek and quiet spirit 
that we are bounded by the cross of 
Christ, -and concerned to shew forth the 
excellency of that divine principle, by a 
conversation everj^ way agreeable there- 
unto. 

Let your words be few and savoury, 
observing the precept of the apostle, " Let 
no corrupt communication proceed out of 
your mouth." So may your good exam- 
ple, and the gravity and circumspection 
of your conduct and behaviour, minister 
just rebuke to those who know not a bri- 
die to their tongue, and who seem not 
sufficiently aware, " that in the multitude 
of words there wanteth not sin." 

It is worthy of general remembrance, 
that no affectation of singularity was the 
cause of a demeanour both civil and reli- 
gious in our foreibhers, (or in the faith- 
ful of this day) different in many respects 



CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION. 13 

from tj>e conduct of those among whom 
we (kvell ; but they beholding the vanity, 
unprofitableness, and insincerity of the 
salutations, customs, and fashions of the 
world, and regarding the examples of our 
blessed Saviour and his followers, with the 
frequent testimonies recorded in holy 
writ, to the necessity of a self-denying 
life and conversation, together with the 
law and testimony revealed in their hearts, 
retained in view the injunction of the 
apostle, Not to be conformed to this 
world, but to be transformed by the re- 
newing of the mind, that we may prove 
what is that good, and acceptable, and 
perfect w^ill of God. May an upright- 
ness of heart as in the sight of God, ever 
attend this simplicity of appearance, that 
none by a conduct inconsistent therewith, 
may furnish occasion for the testimony to 
be evilly spoken of or despised. 

B 



14 CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION. 

God who is the creator of maiiif and he 
to whom he oweth the dedication i||x)th 
of soul and body, is over all to be wor- 
shipped and adored, and that not only by 
the spirit, but also with the prostration of 
the body. Now kneeling, bowing and 
uncovering the head, is the alone outward 
signification of our adoration towards 
God, and therefore, it is not lawful to give 
it unto man. He that kneeleth or pros- 
trates himself to man, what doth he more 
to God ? He that boweth and uncovereth 
his head to the creature, what hath he re- 
served to the Creator ? Since therefore 
all the duties of the different relations un- 
der which we may be stated, may be per- 
formed one to another without those kind 
of bowings, they are therefore no essen- 
tial part of our duty to man, but to God. 

The world ivit its degeneracy from God^ 
is as much out of the way as to true ho- 



CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION. 15 

nour and respect, as in other things ; 
much of which are, as the apostle speaks 
of science.. /rhey are honours and respects 
falsely so called ; having nothing of the 
nature of true honour and respect in 
them : but as degenerate men, loving to 
be honoured, first devised them, so pride 
only loves and seeks them. 

Some of the reasons which have en- 
gaged us to decline the practice of the 
present customs of pulling off the hat, 
bowing the body or knee, and giving 
people gaudy titles and epithets in our sa- 
lutations and addresses, are, that savour^ 
sight and sense that God by his light and 
spirit has given us of the w^orld's apos- 
tacy from him, and the cause and effects 
of that great and lamentable defection ; 
in the discovery of which, the sense of 
our ow^n state came first before us, and 
we were made to see him whom we had 



16 CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION. 

pierced, and to mourn for it. Now every 
word, thought and deed, was brought to 
judgment, the root examined, and its 
tendency considered; and by knowing 
the evil leaven and its evil effects in our- 
selves, we came to have a sense and 
knowledge of the states of others; the 
present honours and respects of the w^orld 
became burdensome to us ; we saw they 
had no being in paradise, that they grew 
in the night time and came from an evil 
root ; that they only delighted a vain and 
ill mind, and that much pride and folly 
was in them. We honour those that are 
placed in authority over us ; our parents, 
our masters, our magistrates, our land- 
lords, one another ; yea all men after God's 
way used by holy men and women of old 
time : but we cannot esteem bows, titles, 
and pulling off of hats to each other, to be 
real honours, because such like customs 



CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION. 17 

have been prohibited by God, his Son and 
servants in days past. Christ said to the 
Jews, how can ye believe that receive ho- 
nour one of another and seek not the ho- 
nour that Cometh from God only ; and 
charged his disciples, be not ye called 
Rabbi : for one is your master even 
Christ, and all ye are brethren. Neither 
be ye called master, but he that is great- 
est among you, shall be your serv^ant, and 
^vhosoever shall exalt himself shall be 
abased. These passages carry a severe 
rebuke both to worldly honour in general, 
and to those members and expressions cf 
it in particular, w^hich as near as the lan- 
guage of scripture and customs of that 
age will permit, do distinctly reach and 
allude to those of our own time. 

Our non-conformity to the world in 
using the word thou for you when address- 
ing an individual, hath the same original as 

b2 



18 CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION. 

the foregoing. Words of themselves are 
but as so many marks set and employed 
for necessary and intelligible mediums 
whereby men may understandingly ex- 
press their minds and conceptions to each 
other : though the world be divided into 
many nations, each of v/hich for the most 
part has its peculiar language or dialect, 
yet they have ever concurred in the same 
numbers and persons, as forming much 
of the ground of right speech. Thou 
and thee when speaking to one, and ye 
or you to more than one, is according to 
plain grammar rule, and it w^ould be im- 
possible to preserve numbers if you be 
used to express one. But it is a most ex- 
travagant piece of pride in a mortal man 
to require or expect from his fellow crea- 
ture a more grateful language than he is 
wont to give to the immortal God his Cre- 
ator, in all his worship to him ; since we 



CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION. 19 

are persuaded that its original was from 
pride and flattery we cannot use it. 

And however we may be censured as 
singular, by those loose and airy minds, 
that consider not the true rise and ten- 
dency of words and things, yet to us 
whom God has convinced by his light 
and spirit in our hearts, of the folly and 
evil of such courses, and brought into a 
spiritual discerning of the nature and 
gi'ound of the world's fashions, they ap- 
pear to be the fruits of pride and flattery ; 
and we dare not continue in such vain 
compliances to erathly minds lest we of- 
fend God and burden our own consci- 
ences, knowing assuredly that for every 
idle word that men speak, they shall give 
an account in the day of judgment. 

Frequent waiting in stillness on the 
Lord for renewal of strength, keeps the 



20 CONDUCT AND CONVERS A flON. 

mind at home in its proper place and duty, 
and out of all unprofitable conversation 
and converse, whether amongst those of 
our own or other professions. 

Much hurt may accrue to the religious 
mind by long and frequent conversation 
on temporal matters, especially by interest- 
ing ourselves unnecessarily in them; for 
there is a leaven in that propensity, which, 
being suffered to prevail, indisposes and 
benumbs the soul, and prevents its fre- 
quent ascendings in living aspirations to- 
wards the Fountain of eternal life. 

Whatever exercises we may meet with 
on account of a faithful testimony to the 
truth in all godliness of conversation, and 
to the end that we may not faint in our 
minds, let us consider the captain of our 
salvation, who endured the contradiction 
of sinners, bearing his cross and despising 



eONBUCr ANB CONVERSATION. 21 

the shame, and is set down on the right 
hand of God, where he continually 
maketh intercession for us : that following 
him, and under his banner fighting the 
good fight of faith, we may finally obtain 
the crown of righteousness wliich facjeth 
not away. 



DAYS AND TIMES. 



ADVISED, that Friends be exempla- 
ry in keeping to our ancient testimony 
against the superstitious observation of 
days; and to the simplicity of truth in 
calling the days and months by scripture 
names and not by those of the heathen. 

The children of Israel, the people whom 
God chose out of all the families of the 
earth to place his name among, and to 
make himself known unto, were strictly 
commanded not only to abstain from the 
idolatrous practices of the nations in the 
midst of whom they dwelt, but were en- 
joined to be " circumspect in all things 
that the Lord commanded," and even to 



DAYS AND TIMES, 23 

^' make no mention of the names of other 
Gods, neither to let it be heard out of their 
mouth." This injunction was a perpe- 
tual command and standing ordinance in 
honour of the One Almighty Being, the 
same yesterday, to-day and forever, and 
as such ought to be regarded by us, and 
by all the generations of those, who wdth 
the heart believe, as well as with the 
tongue confess, " that the Lord he is God, 
and that there is none else besides him ;'' 
who hath declared, " I am the Lord, that 
is my name, and my glory will I not give 
to another, neither my praise to graven 
images." Convinced of this everlasting 
truth, both by the testimony of the scrip- 
tures and the manifestation of the divine 
principle which leads those who are faith- 
ful to its teachings, from every thing 
cither in word or deed that would disho- 
nour the truth, our ancient Friends V;'ere 



24 BAYS AND TIMES. 

conscientiously concerned to refrain from 
die use of those names of months and 
days, which the heathens had given to 
the idols they worshipped; and this con- 
cern rested upon them from a firm per- 
suasion that the glorious gospel day was 
come, wherein the Lord was fulfilling his 
convenant with Israel, viz. I will take 
away the names of Baalim out of his 
mouth, and they shall no more be re- 
membered by their name. Consistently 
with this testimony, the following account 
of the origin of the names of some of the 
months of the year, and of all the days of 
the week as now commonly used, is re- 
commended to the serious consideration 
of our members. 

1. January was so called from Janus, 
an ancient king of Italy, whom heathen- 
ish superstition had deified, to whom a 



DAYS AND TIMES. 2S 

temple was built, and this month dedi- 
cated. 

2. Februaiy was so called from Fe- 
brua, a word denoting purgation by sa- 
crifices ; it being usual in this month for 
the priests of the heathen god, Pan, to 
offer sacrifices and perform certain rites, 
conducing, as was supposed, to the cleans- 
ing or purgation of the people. 

3. March was so denominated from. 
Mars, feigned to be the god of war, 
whom Romulus, founder of the Roman 
empire, pretended to be his father. 

4. April is generally supposed to de- 
rive its name from the Greek appella- 
tion of Venus, an imaginary goddess 
worshipped by' the Romans. 

5. May is said to have been so called 
from Maia, the mother of Mercury, ano- 
ther of their pretended ethnic deities, to 



26 DAYS AND TIMES. 

whom in this month they paid their de- 
votions. 

6. June is said to take its name from 
Juno, one of the supposed goddesses of 
the heathen. 

7. July so called from Julius Caesar, 
one of the Roman emperors, who gave 
his name to this month, which before 
was called Quintilis, or the fifth. 

8. August so named in honour of 
Augustus Caesar, another of the Roman 
emperors. This month was before called 
Sextilis or the sixth. ^ 

The other four months, namely, Sep- 
tember, October, November, and De- 
cember, still retain their numerical latin 
names, which, according to the late regu- 
lation of the calendar, will for the future 
be improperly applied. However, from 

* Macrob. Saturn. lib. 1. cap. 12, 



t^. 



DAYS AND TIMES. 27 

the continued use of them hitherto, as 
well as from the practice of the Jews be- 
fore the Babylonish captivity,^ it seemeth 
highly probable, that the method of dis- 
tinguishing the months by their numeri- 
cal order only, was the most ancient, as 
it is the most plain, simple and rational. 

As the idolatrous Romans thus gave 
names to several of the months in honour 
of their pretended deities : so the like 
idolatry of our Saxon ancestors, induced 
them to call each day of the week by the 
name of the idol which on that day they 
peculiarly worshipped. Hence, 

The first day of the week they called 
Sunday, from their customary adoration 
of the sun on that day. 

The second day of the week they call- 
ed Monday, from their worshipping the 
moon on that dav. 

* See the Scriptures to the time of Ezra. 



28 DAYS AND TIMES. 

The third day of the week they called 
Tuesday, in honour of one of their idols, 
ealled Tuisco. 

The fourth day of the week was called 
Wednesday, from Woden, another of 
their idols. 

The fifth day of the week was called 
Thursday, from their idol Thor. 

The sixth day of the week was termed 
Friday, from Friga, an imaginary god- 
dess by them worshipped. 

The seventh day they stiled Saturday, 
as is supposed from Satuni, or Seater, 
then worshipped,* 

Ever since we were a people we have 
had a testimony against fgrmal worship, 
being convinced by the precepts of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, the testimonies of his 
apostles, and our own experience, that the 
worship and prayers which God accepts, 

* See Verstegan ai^d Sheringham. 



DAYS AND TIMES. 2f 

are such only as are produced by the in- 
fluence and assistance of his holy Spirit; 
we cannot therefore consistently unite 
mth any in the observation of public 
fasts, feasts, and what they term holy days ; 
or such injunctions and forms as are de- 
vised in man's will for divine worship ; 
^ the dispensation to which outward ob- 
servations were peculiar, having long 
since given place to the spiritual dispen- 
sation of the Gospel, we believe the fast 
we are now called to, is not the bowing of 
the head like a bulrush for a day, but an 
universal and continual fasting and re- 
fraining from ever}' thing which has a 
tendency to defile the soul and unfit it for 
becoming the temple of the Holy Ghost^ 
according to the injunctions of Christ to 
his primitive disciples, " If any man will 
come after me, let him t^ike up his daily 
cross and follow me. Watch ye there- 

c2 



30 PAYS AND TIMES. 

fore and pray always, that ye may be ac- 
counted worthy to escape all these things 
that shall come to pass, and to stand be- 
fore the son of man." That the primi- 
tive believers saw an end to these sha- 
dows of good things, by coming to him 
in whom all figures and shadows end, is 
evident by the words of the aposde Paul ; 
" For Christ, said he, is the end of the 
law for righteousness to every one that be- 
lieveth." Rom. x. 4. " But now hath he 
obtained a more excellent ministry, by 
how much also he is the mediator of a 
better covenant, which was established 
upon better promises." Heb. viii. 6, " Let 
no man therefore judge you in meat or 
di'ink, or in respect of an holy day, or of 
the new moon, or of the sabbath days, 
^vhich are a shadow of things to come, but 
the body is of Christ." Col. ii. 16, 17. 
And the same apostle thus expostulated 
with some who it appears had fallen from 



i^AYS AND TIMES. 3^ 

the true faith in these respects, " But 
now after that ye have kno^vn God, how 
turn ye again to the beggarly elements, 
whereunto ye desire again to be in bond- 
age. Ye observe days and months, and 
times, and years : I am afraid of you lest 
I have bestowed upon you labour in 
vain." Gal. iv. 9, 10, H. 

We are also religiously restrained from 
shutting up our doors, windows and shops 
upon such days as ^e appointed to de- 
sire a blessing upon, and success to the 
arms of the kingdom or commonweatlh 
under which we live ; nor can we give 
thanks or illuminate the windows of our 
houses for victories obtained by the ef- 
P fusion of blood ; for believing that strife 
and contention, with every thing built 
thereon, shall come to an end, the continu- 
ance of those occasions must to the truly 
christian mind be cause of deep mourning,. 



DEFAMATION AND DETRACTION. 



FRIENDS are exhorted to main- 
tain always a strict watch over themselves 
and each other a,^ainst the subtle and mis- 
chievous spirit of tale-bearing anddetrac- 
tion, the manifest tendency of which is to 
lay waste the unity of the body, by sow- 
ing the seeds of disesteem, strife and dis- 
cord among brethren and neighbours ; as 
well as to unlit those who either propa- 
gate or listen to evil reports, for being 
of that service to the persons reflected * 
upon, which they might be if the order 
prescribed by our blessed Lord to his 
church was strictly observed, viz. ^' If 
thy brother shall trespass against thee, go 



DEFAMATION AND DETRACTION. 3i3 

and tell him his fault between thee and 
him alone : if he shall hear thee, thou 
hast gained thy brother. But if he will 
not hear thee, then take with thee one or 
two more, that in the mouth of two or 
three witnesses every word may be esta- 
blished, and if he shall neglect to hear 
them, tell it unto the church ; but if he 
neglect to hear the church, let him be un- 
to thee as an heathen man and a publican.'^ 

If thou hear a report to the disad- 
vantage of a Friend, be careful not to re^ 
port it again, but go to the person of 
whom the report is, and inquire if it he 
true or not : if it be true, deal with him 
or her according to the doctrine of Christj 
Matt, xviii. 16, 17. but if false, then en- 
deavour as much as thou canst to stop 
such report. 

The preservation of love and unity is a 
duty in every state of religious attainr 



54 DEFAMATION AND. DETRACTION. 

ment ; and did we faithfully observe the 
great master's precept of doing to others 
as we would they should do to us, its 
practice would be easy. Detraction and 
enmity would then be destroyed in the 
seed, and that excellent chrisnan charity, 
recommended by the apostle, prevail over 
all. 



DISCIPLINE 

AND 

MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE. 



AS it consisted with the will of our 
heavenly Father, after he had called our 
primitive Friends from the various forms 
of religion to worship him in spirit, to 
lead them into the establishing and sup- 
port of a cliristian discipline for the help 
and preservation of the body in a con- 
sistency of conduct, we exhort all who 
are concerned in the management of the 
discipline, that they fervently seek to be 
clothed with a right mind therein, that no- 



36 BISCIPLINEi 

thing may be done through rashness, 
strife or vain glory, but all with a single 
eye to the honour of truth, and the good 
6f individuals. 

The more we experience a prepara- 
tion of heart for the exercise of our res- 
pective gifts, the more amply shall we 
evince the expression of the tongue ta 
be seasoned with that living virtue and 
divine power, which proceeds from our 
Holy Head, and thus, in conducting the 
important concerns of society, we shall be 
enabled to example the beloved youth in 
a manner which will evidence to them, 
that neither tradition nor a mere outward 
education can fitly prepare them for suc- 
cessors in the Church. Upon this sub- 
ject we are the more solicitous, as we be- 
lieve many who were evidently under 
the forming hand, have been suddcnlj^ 
l&id hold of, and introduced into service 



DISCIPLINE. 37 

before that preparation of heart hath been 
sufficiently experienced, which leads to a 
reliance upon divine direction, and re- 
deems from a confidence on the natural 
understanding : on the other hand we be- 
lieve, there has in many places been a 
want of care in those who are acceptably 
active in the discipline, rightly to distin- 
guish, and seasonably to bring into action, 
the talents bestowed upon some in the 
early stage of life ; it being truly desira- 
ble, that by a just discrimination of times 
and seasons, and of the qualifications be- 
stowed, every gift may be rightly exer- 
cised, and a succession of useful mem- 
bers preserved in every rank in the 
Church. 

Let an inquiry be raised in the minds 
of all the members of the Church, who 
have had any part of the Lord's work up- 
on them, how they have acquitted them- 

D 



38 DISCIPLINE. 

selves in his sight ; forasmuch as a day 
comes on apace, in which an account of 
our stewardship will be required at our 
hands. 

If this awful sense of rendering an ac- 
count of our trust, and the importance of 
being clear from the blood of each other 
were enough impressed upon all minds, 
the right exercise of our christian disci- 
pline would be a means of our edifica- 
tion in righteousness and preservation 
from many evils of the world. 

We are concerned that the manage- 
ment of our christian discipline be not 
committed to hands unclean ; particularly 
of such who allow or connive at undue 
liberties in their own children or families. 
'' If a man, said the .apostle, know not 
how to rule his own house, how shall he 
take care of tlie Church of God?" 



DISCIPLINE, 39 

111 order to unite us more nearly one to 
another as members of the same body, 
and to strengthen each others hands in 
promoting the cause of truth, it is recom- 
mended that Friends stand open to the 
leadings of the love of God, through Je- 
sus Christ our Lord ; and when in that, 
they feel their minds drawn to sit with 
any of their neighbouring monthly or 
quarterly meetings, that they attend there- 
to, and that such meetings as are so visit- 
ed, receive such in the same love, and not 
look upon them as intruders ; thus mu- 
tual help ^^dll be given and received 
amongst us. j 

Dear Friends, be patient in the exer- 
cise of your gifts and services, and take 
no offence at any time, because w^hat 
seems to be clear to you is not presently 
received by others ; let all things in the 
Church be propounded with an aw^ul re- 



40 DISCIPLINE. 

verence oi* him that is the head and life of 
it; who said '' where two or three are ga- 
thered together in my name, tliere am I 
in the midst of them :" therefore let all 
beware of their own spirits and keep in a 
gracious temper, that so they may be fit- 
ted for the service of the house of God, 
whose house we are if we keep upon the 
foundation that God hath laid ; and such 
he will build up, and teach how to build 
up one another in him ; and as every 
member must feel life in himself and all 
from one head, this life will not hurt it- 
self in any, but be tender of itself in all ; 
for by this one life of ; the word, ye were 
begotten, and by it ye are nourished and 
made to grow into your several services 
in the church of God ; it is no man's 
learning, nor artificial acquirements; it 
is no man's riches, nor greatness in this 
v/orld ; it is no man^s eloquence and na- 



DISCIPLINE. 41 

lural wisdom, that makes him fit for go- 
vernment in the Church of Christ: all 
his endowments must be seasoned with 
the heavenly salt, and his gifts pass through 
the fire of God's altar a sacrifice to his 
praise and honour, that so self being bap- 
tized into death, the gifl:s may be used in 
the power of the resurrection of the life 
of Jesus in him. 



!>2 



GAMING AND DIVERSIONS. 



AS our time passeth swiftly away, 
and our delight ought to be in the law of 
the Lord, it is advised that a watchful 
care be exercised over our youth and 
others in membership, to prevent their 
going to stage plays, horse races, music, 
dancing, or any such vain sports and pas- 
times ; and being concerned in lotteries, 
wagering, or other species of gaming. 
And as we are not only accountable for 
oar substance, but also for our time, let 
them be employed in fulfilling our res- 
pective religious and social duties, re- 
membering the injunction ^' Work while ^ 

4 



GAMING AND DIVERSIONS. 43 

it is called to-day, for the night cometh 
wherein no man can work." 

All parents and heads of families are 
exhorted to seek to be endued with the 
clothing of the Holy Spirit, that they may 
at suitable seasons be enabled to raise in 
the minds of the youth, and those under 
their direction, a sense of the inexpressible 
comfort and delight which attends the ex- 
ercise of true religion and virtue ; thus 
they will see that the sports and diver- 
sions which are used to obtain what is 
falsely called pleasure, are the inventions 
of degenerate and corrupt minds, who be- 
ing igT.orant of that solid satisfliction of 
soul which is of an enduring nature, vain- 
ly attempt to supply the want of it by 
those pleasures which end in anxiety and 
sorrow. 



MARRIAGE. 



MARRIAGE being an ordinance 
of God, he alone can righdy join man and 
, woman dierein ; neither priest nor magis- 
trate are requisite to its accomplishment; 
and as ^ve shall not find in all the Scrip- 
ture that the priest had any part therein 
further than as a witness among others 
that were present, we cannot countenance 
any in the exercise of a function which 
we believe is designed merely to advance 
the interest and profits of a certain class 
of men ; and which is no part of the of- 
fice of a Gospel Minister. 



MARRIAGE. 45 

As marriage is an engagement of great 
importance to our present peace and fu- 
ture well being, it is much desired that it 
may not be entered upon inconsiderately 
or on motives evidently inconsistent with 
that unerring wisdom by which it was 
primarily ordained : which was, for the 
mutual assistance and comfort of the par- 
ties in spirituals and temporals ; and that 
their offspring may be educated in the 
nurture and admonition of the Lord; and 
for the discharge of their duty in their va- 
rious allotments in the world. 

Marriage implies union as well in spi- 
ritual as temporal concerns. Whilst the 
parties differ in religion they stand dis- 
united in the main point, even that which 
should increase and confirm their mutual 
happiness, and render them mfeet-helps 
and blessings to each other. Where it 
13 otherwise, the reciprocal obligation in- 



46 MARRIAGE. 

to which they have entered becomes their 
burden : whatever felicity they might 
have flattered themselves with in the be- 
ginning, they have found themselves dis- 
appointed of, by the daily uneasiness ac- 
companying their minds and embittering 
their enjoyments. 

The perplexed situation of the offspring 
of such alliances is also to be lamented ; 
attached by nature to both parents, their 
confusion often renders them unfixed in 
principle and unsettled in practice ; or if, 
as is usual, the sons attach themselves to 
the father and the daughters to the mo- 
ther, brothers and sisters are trained up in 
lines of conduct diverse from, and in some 
instances opposite to each other ; thus 
diiFering in principle, they are frequently 
divided in affection, and though so nearly 
related, are sometimes at the greatest dis- 
tance from that love and harmonv which 



MARRIAGE, 4/ 

uught continually to subsist between 
taem. 

To prevent falling into these disagree- 
able and disorderly engagements, it is re- 
quisite to beware of the paths that lead to 
them.. ..the sordid interests and ensnaring 
friendships of the world.. ..the contaminat- 
ing pleasures and idle pastimes of earthly 
minds ; also the various solicitations and 
incentives of festivity and dissipation. 
Let bur dear youth likewise avoid the 
too frequent and too familiar converse 
with those from whom may arise a dan- 
ger of entanglement, by their alluring the 
passions and drawing the affections after 
them. 

All young or unmarried people in 
membership with us are advised, pre- 
viously to their making any procedure in 
order to marriage, seriously and humbly 
to wait upon the Lord for his counsel and 



48 MARRIAGE. 

direction in this very important concern ; 
and when favoured with satisfactory clear- 
ness therein, early to acquaint their pa- 
rents or guardians with their intentions, 
and wait for their consent : thus preser- 
vation from the dangerous bias of forward, 
brittle and uncertain affections, would be 
experienced to the real benefit of the par- 
ries and the comfort of their friends. 

And it is earnestly recommended to 
Friends, that they tenderly watch over the 
youth, and extend seasonable caution and 
admonition on such occasions. 

Let such of our members be admonish- 
ed who keep company in order for mar- 
riage with persons not of our society, or 
with any bound servants or apprentices, 
without the leave of their masters or 
mistresses ; or who are present them- 
selves or consent to their children being 
present at marriages of those not in mem- 



MARRIAGE. 49 

bership, which are accomplished by the 
assistance of a priest. 

Improper connections in marriage be- 
ing often for want of due care in parents, 
and those who have the important charge 
of educating the youth, early to admonish 
and instruct them in the principles o 
truth, and impress their minds with the 
duty of religiously observing them : 
where there is apparent danger of the affec- 
tions of any ^uch being improperly en- 
tangled, and the care of those who have 
the oversight of them, appears not suffi- 
cient to prevent their taking impmdent 
steps in the accomplishment of marriage, 
they should early apply for the help of 
their friends. 

That no occasion may be given for re-* 
proaching the religious profession we are 
making, it is recommended that when any 
Friends dwelling in the same house have 



50 MARllIAGE. 

views of a connection in maiTiage \vith 
each other, and proposals on that account 
have been made and received, that they 
no longer reside together until the mar- 
riage is accomplished. And it is tenderly 
desired, that such of our members who 
are widowers or widows, would cautiously 
guard against making or encouraging 
proposals on account of marriage so early 
after the decease of wife or husband, as to 
manifest a disregard to the memory of 
the deceased, and want of weighty exam- 
ple becoming our religious profession. 

The too ready acceptance of papers of 
acknowledgment from such persons who 
accomplish their marriages out of the or- 
der of the society, being of injurious con^ 
sequence and a cause of much concern 
and exercise, it is earnestly recommended 
to monthly meetings, that they be careful 
speedily to proceed to put the rules of our 



MARRIAGE. 51 

discipline in practice against such offen- 
ders : and when papers of acknowledg- 
ment and condemnation are offered, such 
meetings should be well assured that they 
proceed from a true ground of sincerity 
and conviction in the party, manifested 
by a consistency in life and conversation. 
And it is advised, that in the accom- 
plishment of marriage, all Friends, parti- 
cularly those in affluent circumstances, 
be careful to set a becoming and encour- 
aging example of moderation, that all un- 
necessarily expensive entertainments and 
large companies be avoided, and an espe- 
cial guard maintained against inviting 
such as guests who are unlikely to con- 
form to the order of our religious society ; 
and that all the marriages amongst us 
be accomplished decently, gravely and 
weightily : that the parties themselves, 
their parents and other Friends present^ 



52 CARRIAGE. 

do take care that no occasion of offence 
or reproach be given, by any intemperate 
or immoderate eating or drinking, or by 
any unseemly or rude discourse or ac- 
tions ; but that all behave with such so- 
briety as becomes a people fearing God. 



MEETINGS FOR ^VORSHIP. 



WE exhort all to a christian exer- 
4*/ise and zeal in the performance of wor- 
ship to Ahnighty God ; and as we are 
not capable in our own strength to per- 
form this great duty, we recommend to 
a diligent waiting in true silence and re- 
tirement of mind, for the renewed sense 
of the inward power and virtue of his 
spirit, whereby we shall be qualified to 
worship him in an acceptable manner. 

Let our faithfulness and sincerity herein 
appear, by the humility^ meekness and 
circumspection of our lives and conver 
E 2 



54 MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP. 

sation, adorning the doctrines and princi- 
ples of truth, as they were declared by 
Christ and his apostles ; those who have 
been preserved in faithfulness therein, hav- 
ing to testify from living experience, that 
it hath been very profitable , and therefore 
cannot be easy without encouraging and 
putting forward their children, appren- 
tices and servants to this religious duty, 
as well as to other behaviour suitable 
thereunto. 

And it is advised, that such of our 
members as come late to meetings, or 
fall asleep when there, or are restless, or 
do not stay in the meeting, but go forth 
unnecessarily, or otherwise demean them- 
selves unbecoming our holy profession on 
those solemn occasions, be tenderly and 
seasonably admonished. 

Let not the smallness of numbers dis- 
courage you from constantly attending 



MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP. 55 

our religious meetings, inasmuch as the 
words of Christ remain unchangeably 
true and steadfast ; *' Where two or three 
are gathered together in my name, there 
am I in the midst of them." And with 
respect to temporal concerns, there are 
many witnesses to the verifying of his 
gracious promise, " Seek ye first the 
kingdom of God and his righteousness, 
and all these things shall be added unto 
you*" But when remissness and neglect 
of attending meetings for worship have 
prevailed, it hath been often an inlet to 
such undue liberties as truth and its 
guidance do not admit of. 

When gathered in our religious assem- 
blies, let us be truly concerned to watch 
against every thought and imagination 
which have the least tendency to divert 
tlie mind from simplicity of desire after 
the Father of spirits, and Fountain of all 



56 MEETINGS I'OU WORSHIP. 

good ; thus retiring to the divine and 
heavenly gift, it will minister to every 
state and condition though you may have 
no outward teaching ; and will preserve 
in humble waiting, till it be a proper time 
to break up your meetings with that de- 
cency and solemnity which should attend 
our minds in such service. O that the 
weightiness of our spirits, and the gra- 
vity of our deportment in religious meet- 
ings, may be such as to excite an awful 
sensation in observers ! and that at the 
conclusion, we may avoid trivial or unne- 
cessary conversation : our conduct as 
well as countenances bespeaking that we 
had been with Jesus. 

Thev Vv ho are obedient to the univer- 
sal injunction of our Saviour, " Watch," 
are prepared for the due fulfilling of every 
dut}' ; and eminently so for that most 
essential one of worship. 



MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP. 57 

How many feel themselves languid, 
when assembled for this solemn purpose, 
for want of a previous preparation of heart! 
The mind crowded with thoughts on out- 
ward things, or freely conversing on them 
when we approach the place for public wor- 
ship, and resuming them with avidity on 
our return, we are not likely to fill up the 
interval to profit; and to such, their meeting 
together may prove a form, as empty as 
any of those, out of which we believe 
truth called our forefathers, and still calls 
us. 

Dear Friends, keep all your meetings 
in the authority, wisdom and power of 
tmth, and the unity of the blessed Spirit ; 
and the God of peace be with you. 



MODERATION AND TEMPERANCE 



IT is affectionately recommended, 
that Friends be careful to use modera- 
tion on account of marriages, births, bu- 
rials, and on all other occasions ^ con- 
formably to the pure truth, which leads 
into great circumspection and would pre- 
serve from giving any just cause of of- 
fence or stumbling to any : on the other 
hand a conduct and practice assimilated 
to the maxims and fashions of the world, 
not ohly evinces our own individual un- 
faithfulness to the salutary restrictions of 
the principle we make profession of, but 



MODERATION AND TEMPERANCE. 59 

is an obstruction to the progress of re- 
formation, promotes various evils, and 
tends to obscure that light and lessen its 
precious savour which our example should 
be a means of diffusing among men, 
agreeably to the exhortation of the holy- 
apostle, " Let your moderation be known 
unto all men, the Lord is at hand." Phil, 
iv. 5. And as the all-seeing eye beholds 
our thoughts, and views us in all our 
ways and actions, what manner of men 
ought we to be in all godliness of life, 
and sobriety of deportment. 

Many religiously attentive minds hav- 
ing been long painfully burdened with 
observing the corrupting, debasing and 
ruinous effects consequent on the impor- 
tation and retailing large quantities of dis- 
tilled spirits, whereby the intemperate use 
of them is greatly aided and encouraged, 
to the impoverishment of many, distem- 



60 MODERATION AND TEMPERANCE. 

pering the constitutions and understand- 
ings of many more, and increasing vice 
and dissoluteness in the land, it is the 
united sense of this meeting, that well con* 
cerned Friends in all quarters, be earnestly 
excited to suffer the affecting importance 
of this mighty evil, religiously to impress 
their minds, and animate them v^dth lively 
concern to exert honest endeavours by 
example and loving entreaty to caution., 
and dissuade all our members from being 
concerned in the importation or retailing 
distilled spirits, or giving countenance 
thereto, and from using them in the time 
of harvest or otherwise. And where it is 
apprehended there may be occasion of 
using any as medicine, it is earnestly de- 
sired that religious caution be observed 
therein. 

Under the weight and pressure of the 
deeply interesting concern for the main- 



MODERATION AND TEMPERANCE. 61 

tenance of our christian testimony against 
the trading in and use of distilled spi- 
rituous liquors, a travail being felt that a 
gradual and steady advancement thereof 
may in no respect be impeded, quar- 
terly and monthly meetings are afresh 
urged to renewed patient, persevering 
labour with such as are in this practice, 
manifesting, that if continued in by any of 
our members, it cannot admit of any 
countenance while there is a faithful ad- 
herence to the divine principle of good- 
will to men. 

And let endeavours be used to dissuade 
the members of our religious society from 
being either owners of distilleries, or pro- 
curing their fruit to be converted into 
spirits. 



NEGROES OR SLAVES- 



UNDERSTANDING that some 
in membership with us, either through 
inadvertence, or from selfish motives, 
have hired slaves to assist them in their 
business; we desire such to consider 
that in so doing they promote the un- 
righteous traffic, and oppose our testi- 
mony against it. 

Friends are also cautioned against act^ 
ing as executors or administrators to es- 
tates where slaves are bequeathed; and 
against doing any thing whereby their 
bondage may be prolonged. 

And we earnestly desire it may become 
the concern of our members generally, 



NEGROES OR SLAVES. 63 

to use the influence they have with those 
who hold slaves by inheritance or other- 
wise, that they may be treated with mo- 
deration and kindness, and instructed as 
objects of the common salvation, in the 
principles of the christian religion ; as 
well as in such branches of school-learn- 
ing as may fit them for freedom, and to 
become useful members of civil society. 
Also that Friends in their several neigh- 
bourhoods advise and assist such of the 
black people as are at liberty, in the edu- 
cation of their children, and common 
worldly concerns. 






OATHS. 



AD VISED5 that our christian testi- 
mony be faithfully maintained against the 
burthen and imposition of oaths, accord- 
ing to the express command of Christ, 
and the injunction of the, apostle James, 
viz. '' Ye have heard that it hath been 
said by them of old time, thou shalt not 
forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto 
the Lord thine oaths ; but I say unto you 
swear not at all : neither by heaven, for 
it is God's throiie : nor by the earth, for 
it is his footstocSP neither by Jerusalem, 
for it is the city of the great king. Nei- 
ther shalt thou swear by thy head, be- 



OATHS- 65 

cause thou canst not make one hair 
white or black : but let your communica- 
tion be, yea, yea, nay, nay ; for whatso- 
ever is more than these cometh of evil.'^ 
Matt. V. 33 to 37. 

" But above all things my brethren, 
swear not, neither by heaven, neither by 
the earth, neither by any other oath : but 
let your yea, be yea ; and your nay, nay ; 
lest ve fall into condemnation." James 

ml 

V. 12. 

Friends in all places are exhorted care- 
fully to avoid electing or promoting their 
brethren to such stations in civil govern- 
ment as may subject them to the tempta- 
tion of violating this testimony : and in 
the execution of instruments of v/riting 
requiring witnesses, it is recommended 
that Friends endeavour to procure such 
persons for this purpose, as will attest the 
same bv affirmation. 

F 2 



PARENTS AND CHILDREN 



IT behoves all parents and heads of 
families to be good examples themselves, 
watching over their youth for good, and 
early guarding them against those devia- 
tions from simplicity in speech, behaviour , 
and apparel, by which many have been 
betrayed into injurious company and un- 
suitable connections, and some into an 
entire renunciation of the religious prin- 
ciples and profession of their fathers. That 
faithfulness in the discharge of this im- 
portant trust is well pleasing to the Lord, 
remarkably appears in that gracious tes- 
timony given concerning his servant 



PARENTS AND CHILDREN. 67 

Abraham : ' ' Shall I hide from Abraham that 
thing which I do : for I know him that he 
will command his children and his house- 
hold after him; and they shall keep the way 
of the Lord to do justice and judgment ; 
that the Lord may bring upon Abraham 
that which he hath spoken of him :" which 
was indeed to bless both him and his off^ 
spring, and make of him a great nation. 

But contrariwise was it with Eli, who, 
though he reproved his disorderly sons, 
yet not restraining them w^hen he might 
have done it, they became " sons of Be- 
lial," and signal examples of divine dis- 
pleasure. 

Wherefore dear Friends, seeing the 
Lord hath been pleased in his infinite 
goodness to raise us up as a people to bear 
testimony to his truth, and against the 
corrupt customs and fashions of the world, 
let us be mindful of our calling, w^atchful 



68 FARENTS AKD CHILDREN. 

over ourselves, and daily seeking to him 
for wisdpm rightly to govern the inex- 
perienced youth entrusted to our care; 
habituating them from their infancy to 
the safe and pleasant paths of simplicity 
and innocence, piety and virtue ; and 
nipping in the bud every appearance of 
an inclination to the contrary ; endeavour- 
ing, as their understandings unfold, to 
inform and convince them of the ground 
of our religious testimonies ; and often 
reminding them, that it was by a faithful 
submission to the manifestatioiis and re- 
stfictbns of truth, that our honourable 
predecessors were enabled to endure with 
patience the many persecutions and 
crosses they underwent, and were freed 
from a slavery to the evils \Ve have men- 
tioned ; evils, which even those who are 
bound to them by custom, have often 
confessed, are inconsistent with the na^ 



PARENTS AND CHILDREN. 69 

ture and design of the christian religion, 
and connect with other improprieties of 
pernicious consequence. Thus may these 
tenderly beloved objects of our solicitude, 
be engaged to walk in the footsteps of the 
righteous who are gone before ; and pre- 
ferring the Lord's cause to all things, 
finally partake of that rest and joy, into 
which we surely believe those dignified 
sons of the morning are now forever en - 
tered. 

It is advised, that Friends as they prize 
the real welfare of their children, choose 
such occupations for them as are con- 
sistent with our religious principles and 
testimonies ; and that they be placed for 
instruction with sober and exemplary 
members of the society, that, as far as in 
us lies, they may be preserved in a con- 
sistency of conduct and demeanour. 



70 PARENTS AND CHILDREN. 

Our members are reminded of the pro- 
priety of keeping their families, as much 
as conveniently may be, unmixed ; that 
an exemplary consistency may be maintain- 
ed therein, and a corruption of manners 
avoided. 

Friends are desired, by all the means in 
their power, to keep our youth duly to 
meetings, to dissuade all under their care 
from the indecent practice of straggling 
abroad on the first day of the week ; and 
at all times to prevent them from mixing 
with crowds of rude and noisy people, 
which are not only interniptive of the 
public peace, but often productive of mis- 
chief to individuals. 

Friends are exhorted to labour for a 
right qualification, whereby they may be 
enabled to improve suitable opportunities 
for collecting their children and fiimilies 
together in religious retirement, especially 



Barents and children. 71 

in the afternoon of the first day of the 
week, in such places where meetings for 
public worship are not then held. The 
performance of this duty, and solidly 
reading the scriptures of truth and other 
religious books, with a pious, watchful 
care over the youth at other times, would 
greatly tend to discourage their visiting 
and rambling about on that day, or mix- ^ 
ing with unprofitable company ; and un- ^^ 
der the divine blessing, be a means of 
their preservation from many ensnaring 
temptations to which they are liable. 

Let us who are advanced in years and 
experience, like wise builders lay the 
foundation deep, manifesting to the youth, 
by our uniform regard to real piety and 
virtue, that, looking beyond our own dis- 
solution, we are engaged for their present 
and future prosperity, and are labouring 
in the fear of the Lord that their minds 



72 PARENTS AND CHILDREN. 

may be so preserved from corruption, that 
they may understand their true interest, 
consider the uncertainty of temporal 
things, and above all have their hope and 
dependence settled on the blessing of the 
Almighty, who, though he inhabits eter- 
nity, and dwelleth in the hght, yet conde- 
scends to regard those whose hearts are 
contrited before him and tremble at his 
word : hereby the gracious design of 
divine providence concerning them, would 
not be frustrated by our conduct or omis- 
sion of duty ; and we maybe instrumen- 
tal in preparing their minds to receive the 
power of truth, without which they can 
never be happy. 

Ye parents, be solicitous to discharge 
your important and aAvful duty with scru« 
pulous attention. It is often too late to 
warn the }^outhful mind of danger, when 
your own negligence or indulgence, hath 



PARENTS AND CHILDREN. 73 

suffered your offspring to deviate from 
that path of simpUcity in which you have 
thought yourselves bound to walk, and 
in which you have found peace. If you 
fail to suppress the early beginnings of 
undue liberty, how can you expect a 
blessing on your endeavours, when further 
deviations at length arouse your atten- 
tion ? and how, having failed to rule your 
own houses well, can you expect duly to 
take care of the Church of God ? There 
were of old those who brought children to 
Christ in the days of his flesh, and now the 
religious parent can breathe no warmer as- 
piration for them, than when he spiritually 
commends his tender offspring to the pro- 
tection of his Lord : but see Friends that 
you encourage no propensities in them, 
which prevent an union with him. 



PLAINNESS. 



ADVISED, that all Friends, botii 
old and young, keep out of the world's 
coiTupt language, manners, vain and 
needless things and fashions, in apparel, 
buildings, and furniture of houses ; some 
of which are immodest, indecent, and 
unbecoming. And that they avoid im- 
moderation in the use of lawful things, 
which, though innocent in themselves, 
may thereby become hurtful ; also such 
kinds of stuffs, colours and dress, as are 
calculated more to please a vain and wan- 
ton mind, than for real usefulness; and 
let tradesmen and others, members of our 



PLAINNESS, 75 

i:eligious society, be admonished, that they 
be not accessary to these evils ; for we 
ought to take up our daily cross, minding 
the grace of God which brings salvation, 
and teaches to deny all ungodliness, and 
worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righte- 
ously and godly in this present world, that 
we may adorn the doctrine of our Lord 
Jesus Christ in all things ; so may we feel 
his blessing and be instrumental in his 
hand for the good of others. 

Our forefathers and the truly religious 
in the present day, being through the teach- 
ings of the spirit of Christ, brought to see 
in the first place the necessity of sincerity 
and uprightness of heart towards Ood, 
that this awful inward work required great 
watchfulness and faitliful obedience to his 
commands, they were drawn out of the 
vain fashions and customa mf the world, 



76 PLAINNESS. 

knowing from experience that a redeem- 
ed mind could have no life in them. 

If our youth or others should make 
light of that plainness of speech, apparel 
and furniture which we have been led 
into ; let them seriously examine their 
own hearts with due regard to the grace 
of God placed there ; and they will find, 
that so far as they embrace such vanities 
they weaken themselves in the practice 
of religions duties, and expose them- 
selves to further temptations, and more 
dangerous vices. 

It is not a sufficient excuse for such 
deviation^, to suppose that some may put 
on the appearance of plainness for tempo- 
ral ends, and from hypocritical motives ; 
for such as these are an abomination to 
God and good men, and ought no morq 
to deter the sincere hearted from an ex- 
emplary behaviour and conduct, than a 



PLAINNESS. 77 

just man should be prevented from speak- 
ing truth because others when they co- 
vertly can, may be guilty of falsehood. 
We also tenderly advise, that Friends take 
heed that they use plainness of speech 
without respect of persons in all their con- 
verse among men ; and not balk their 
testimony by a cowardly compliance, va- 
rying their language according to their 
company : a practice of very ill example, 
rendering those who use it contemptible, 
and looked upon as a kind of hypocrites 
even by those with whom they so com- 
ply : this seems to be cautioned against 
by the apostle when he advises, 1 Tim. 
'' That the deacons be grave not double 
tongued," plainly importing, that it is 
inconsistent with the gravity of the gos- 
pel. 

When you see a libertine and wanton 
spirit appear in your children and servants, 

G 2 



78 PLAINNESS. 

that lusteth after the vain customs and 
fashions of the world either in habit or 
outward adorning, and your assistance 
and allowance craved therein, without 
which it cannot get forward while they 
are under your government ; O then look 
to yourselves and discharge your trust for 
God, and for the good of their souls, ex- 
horting in meekness and commanding in 
\\^sdom, that so you may minister and 
reach to the witness, and help them over 
their temptations in the authority of God's 
power ; and when they feel themselves 
helped and delivered, their souls will 
bless God for you, and you will reap the 
comfort of your labour. 

Advised, that all Friends both male and 
female, be careful that their adorning be 
that of a meek, and quiet spirit, which is 
in the sight of God of great price ; even 
as the holy men and women of old prO- 



PLAINNESS. 79 

fessing godliness with good works, were 
adorned. 

It is cause of grief and painful concern, 
in observing that many of our youth in- 
stead of attending to the gospel exhorta- 
tion to be sober minded, have given way 
to hghtness and vanity, which leading into 
pride and its pernicious consequences^ 
hath manifested, that though they pro- 
fessed with us, they were not really of us. 

O that our young women would cease 
from, all unseemly and immodest appear- 
ance in their apparel ! certainly both 
males and females who take such undue 
liberties, flee from the cross of Christ ; 
and if they do not repent and return, 
they will thereby suffer great loss. . 

The pride of men that hath conaipted 
many things, refuseth the gospel simpli- 
city and natural propriety of speech, being 
puffed up with a vain opinion of them- 



80 PLAINNESS. 

selves, as if the singular number were 
not sufficient for them, they will have 
others speak to them in the plural. This 
corruption we are informed took place in 
the Roman commonwealth, when the 
courtiers, through flattery sought to mag- 
nify the emperor by using the Avord youy 
&c. which with various titles and appella- 
tions of honour, came afterwards to be de- 
rived to private persons. 

Seeing then that this form of speaking 
to men in the plural number, doth not 
accord with the language of scripture, 
that it proceeds from pride and is in itself 
untrue, our ancient friends found a neces- 
sity upon them to testify against this cor- 
ruption, by using the singular equally unto 
all. 

It is our firm belief, that it is not lawful 
for christians either to give or receive 
titles of honour, as your holiness, your 



PLAINNESS. 81 

majesty, your excellency, &c. because 
these titles are no part of that obedience, 
which is due to magistrates or superiors ; 
neither doth the giving of them add to or 
diminish from that subjection we owe to 
them, which consists in obeying their just 
and lawful commands, not in tides and 
designations. 



POOR. 



PRACTICAL charity is supported 
by liberality : where liberality ceaseth, 
charity waxeth cold, yea so far ceaseth ; 
where there is no contribution, there is 
no distribution ; where one is sparing the 
other is also; therefore let every one 
nourish charity in the root, that is, keep 
a liberal mind, a heart that looks upon the 
substance that is given him, us much be- 
stowed upon him for the support of cha- 
rity, as for the support of his own body. 
Those that are of this mind, will be care- 
ful that they do not keep back any of 



POOR. 83 

God- s part ; for in all ages he hath in a 
most sjngular manner espoused the cause 
of the poor, the widow and fatherless, and 
hath often signified by his prophets and 
ministers, a special charge to rich men 
that had this world's goods, that they 
should look to it, that they were faithful 
stewards of what they possessed, and 
that they be found in good w^orks, and not 
suffer their hearts so to cleave to uncer- 
tain riches, as to neglect the service God 
had given them the things of this life 
for, either to give them up when called 
for, in a testimony for his worthy name, 
or to communicate of them to those that 
were in necessity. 

Those who by sickness, lameness, age 
or other impotency, are brought into 
poverty, are your peculiar care, and ob- 
jects pointed oiit to you to bestow your 
charity upon, for by them the Lord calls 



84 POOR. 

for it ; for as the earth is the Lord's, and 
the fuhiess of it, he hath by his sovereign 
power commanded in every dispensation, 
that a part of what we enjoy from him. 
should be thus employed. The Israelites 
were to leave a part of their produce for 
the poor ; and in the time of the gospel, 
they were to lay by a part of what God 
had blessed them with, for the relief of 
those that were in necessity, which was 
not confined to their own meetings only, 
but upon extraordinary occasions they 
had a regard to the whole church of 
Christ : and all that keep in the guidance 
of the same universal spirit, will make 
it their business to be found in the 
same practice of charity and good works ; 
they that forget not this christian duty, 
will find out the poor's part in the corners 
and gleanings of the profits of their trades 
and merchandizings, as well as the Isra- 



rooR. 85 

elite of old did in the corners and glean- 
ings of his field ; and in the distribution 
of it will have a regard to comfort the 
bowels of such, who by the divine pro- 
vidence of God, are put out of a capacity 
of enjoying those outward comforts of 
health, strength and plenty which others 
enjoy : for while they are partakers of 
the same faith, and walk in the way of 
righteousness widi you, submitting them- 
selves patiently to the dispensation of 
God's providence towards them ; they 
are of your household and under your 
care, both to visit and relieve as mem- 
bers of one body, of which Christ Jesus 
is head : and he that giveth to such poor, 
lendeth to the Lord, and he will repay 
it. 

But there is another sort of poor, who 
make themselves poor through their 
sloth and carelessness, and sometimes by 

H 



86 POOR. 



1 



their wilfulness, being heady and hi^h 
minded, and taking things in hand that 
are more than they can manage, and 
make a flourish for a season, and then 
through their own neglect are plunged 
down into great poverty ; these are a sort 
that the primitive chiuxhes began to be 
troubled with in the early days of the 
gospel : the apostle took notice of some 
that would not work at all, and sharply 
reproved them, saying '' they that would 
not w^ork should not eat ;" and these 
are commonly busy bodies, and med- 
dlers with others matters, while they 
neglect their own ; and run into a worse 
way than the unbelievers while they 
profess to be believers, yet do not 
take care for those of their own house- 
hold. Such should have admonition and 
reproof, labouring to convince them of 
their sloth and negligence, and if tliey 



POOR. 87 

submit to your reproof, and are willing 
to amend, then care ought to be taken to 
help them into a way and means to sup- 
port themselves ; and sometimes by a 
little help in this kind, some have been 
reclaimed from the snares of their soul's 
enemy : but if they will not receive your 
wholesome counsel and admonition, 
Friends will be clear of such in the sight 
of God ; for it is unreasonable in them to 
expect you should feed them that will 
not be advised by you, because they 
break the obligation of society by their 
disorderly walking ; for our communion 
doth not stand only in frequenting meet- 
ings, and hearing truth preached, but in 
answering the blessed principle of truth 
in life and conversation, wherein both 
the rich and the poor have fellowship 
one with another. 



REMOVALS. 



FRIENDS are advised to be very 
cautious in changing their places of resi- 
dence : it having been observed that the 
dissolving of old and the forming of new 
connections, have in many instances been 
attended with effects prejudicial to a 
groAvth in the truth and the service there- 
of, both in the heads and younger branches 
of families. We therefore eamestlv re- 
commend to all, that on these occasions 
an humble resigned attention be paid to 
the pointings of divine wisdom ; and that 
before any determine to change their pla- 
ces of abode, they consult with their ex-^ 
perienced fellow-members. 



SCHOOLS. 



AS the right education of children, 
and the nurture of youth, is of verj^ great 
consequence to them, and to the succeed- 
ing generations, we pressingly exhort all 
parents and heads of families, to procure 
such useful learning for their children, as 
their abilities will admit ; and to encour- 
^e them as well by example as precept, 
to the frequent reading of the Holy Scrip- 
tures, that thev and the tutors under whom 
they are placed, carefully guard them from 
reading pernicious publications ; and be- 
gin early to instil into their tender minds 
the principles of truth, and instruct them 

H 2 



90 SCHOOLS. 

in the nature and necessity of being born 
from above, without which our Lord de- 
clared, no man shall see the kingdom of 
God : and in order hereunto, that they 
labour to bring them acquainted with the 
holy seed which is sown by the divine 
hand in every heart for that gracious end : 
that they may, through the Lord's bless- 
ing upon such pious endeavours, be in- 
duced to place their affections upon it ; 
and cleaving thereto in faithful obedience, 
come to experience it to be unto them, 
Christ within, the hope of glory. 

It is the renewed concern of this meet- 
ing, to recommend a care for the offspring 
of parents whose income or earnings are 
so small, as to render them incapable of 
giving their children a suitable and guard- 
ed education ; and as some of our mem- 
bers may incautiously permit their off- 
spring to suffer this great loss, rather thati 



^ SCHOOLS. 91 

apply for assistance from their monthly 
meetings, it is recommended to Friends in 
every monthly meeting to seek out such 
of their members as may be thus straiten- 
ed, and administer to their help ; and it is 
desired that such will receive the salutary 
aid with a willing mind, and thankfulness 
to the great Author of all good. 

As the want of suitably qualified persons 
amongst Friends for teachers of schools, is 
the occasion of serious disadvantage to the 
jiociety in many places, as tliereby well dis- 
posed Friends are deprived of opportunities 
for' educating their children in a manner 
consistent with a religious concern for 
their welfare ; we desire Friends would 
:ittend to this important point in their 
monthly meetings, and assist young men 
and women of low circumstances, whose 
capacities and conduct may be suitable for 
that occupation, with the means requisite 



92 SCHOOLS. 

to obtain the proper qualifications ; and 
when so qualified, afford them the neces- 
sary encouragement for their support. 

Some in membership widi us having 
placed their children at colleges and other 
seminaries, out of our religious society, 
in order to give them what is termed 
a polished education ; this meeting, 
viewing the youth of both sexes thus 
situated, as very liable to have their minds 
imbued with sentiments and principles 
which strengthen them in vain desires 
after exaltation and grandeur, and often 
lead them from the salutary restraints in- 
cuicated by our religious profession, de- 
sires that tender caution and counsel be 
extended to suchipartnts and others, who 
may be in danger of erring in this way. 



SCRIPTURES- 



INASMUCH as the Scriptures of 
truth are the external means of conveying 
and preserving to us an account of the 
things most surely believed, concerning 
the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in 
the flesh, and the fulfilling of the prophe- 
cies relating thereto'; we recommend to all 
Friends, especially heads of families, that 
they would, both by example and advice, 
impress on the minds of the youth, a due 
esteem of those excellent writings, advise 
them to a frequent reading and meditat- 
ing therein, and at seasons when quali- 
fied therefor, give them to understand, 
that the same good experience of the 



94 SCRIPTURES. 

work of sanctification, through the opera- 
tion of the spirit of God, which the Scrip- 
tures plentifully bear testimony to, is to 
\)t witnessed by believers in all genera- 
tions, as well as by those in the first ages 
of Christianity ; a id on those occasions it 
may be useful to impart to them some 
account of your own experience. This, 
under the divine blessing, may be a 
means of leading their minds into a firm 
belief of the christian doctrine in general, 
and in particular, the necessity of the aid 
of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of men ; 
which as they are concerned to feel after, 
and abide under its teachings, they may 
reap the benefit thereof to their own 
peace and everlasting happiness, which is 
infinitely preferable to all other considera- 
tions. 



SUFFERINGS. 



WE intreat that all who suffer for 
demands inconsistent with the principles 
of truth, may demonstrate by their whole 
conduct and conversation, that they really 
suffer for conscience sake ; and keep 
close to the guidance of that good spirit 
which will preserve in meekness and 
quiet resignation under every trial. 

For if resentment should arise against 
those whom we may look upon as the 
instruments of our suffering, it will de» 
prive us of the reward of faithfulness^ 
give just occasion of offence, and brin^ 



96 SUFFERINGS. 

dishonour to the cause of truth. Cavilling, 
or casting reflections upon any because 
of our sufferings, do not become the ser ^ 
vants of Christ, whose holy example and 
footsteps we ought in all things faitlifully 
to follow. 



TRADE. 



IT being evident, that where the mani- 
festations and restraints of the Spirit of 
truth are duly prized and regarded, it 
leads out of a bondage to the spirit of 
this world, and preserves the minds of 
its followers from many fettering and 
disqualifying entanglements; and contra- 
riwise, that an inordinate love and pur- 
suit of w^orldly riches often betrays those 
w4io are captivated by them, into many 
difficulties and dangers, to the great ob- 
struction of the work of truth in the 
heart : we affectionately desire that the 

I 



98 TRADE. 

counsel and gracious promise of our 
blessed Redeemer to his followers may 
be borne in remembrance by us ; " Seek 
ye first the kingdom of God and his righ- 
teousness, and all these things shall be 
added unto you." 

This meeting being earnestly concern- 
ed that the service of our religious society 
may not be obstructed, or its reputation 
dishonoured by any imprudence of its 
members in their worldly engagements, 
recommends to ^ all, that they be careful 
not to venture upon such business as they 
do not well understand, nor to launch out 
in trade beyond their abilities, and at the 
risk of others ; especially on the credit 
which may be derived from a profession 
of the truth ; but that thev bound their 
engagements by their means ; and when 
they enter into contracts or give their 



TRADE. 99 

words, that they endeavour on all occa- 
sions strictly to fulfil them. 

We particularly exhort, that none en- 
gage in such concerns as depend on the 
often deceptive probabilities of hazard- 
ous enterprises ; but rather content them- 
selves with such a plain and moderate 
way of living, as is consistent with the 
self-denying principle we make profession 
of ; whereby many disappointments and 
grievous perplexities may be avoided, 
and that tranquillity of mind obtained, 
which is inseparable from the right enjoy- 
ment even of temporal things : and it is 
advised that where any among us err, or 
are in danger of erring in these respects, 
they be faithfully and timely admonished. 

Our worthy ancestors having their eye 
directed towards an enduring inheritance, 
and their affections placed upon things 
above, sought not after greatness in this 

LofC, 



100 TRADE. 

world, but passed the time of their so- 
journing here, in fear and in great sim- 
plicity of heart, endeavouring thereby to 
reach the divine witness in every mind, 
and promote the love of truth and righte- 
ousness amongst mankind. In mind^ 
thus bent upon seeking a more glorious 
inheritance than the accumulation of 
worldly possessions, a concern is main- 
tained to hold forth an example of tem- 
perance, justice and truth ; but where a 
defection from this simplicity of heart and 
heavenly mindedness hath prevailed, it 
hath led into the love and pursuit of this 
fading world, produced the fruits of pride 
and ambition, and occasioned many wants 
which our predecessors were preserved 
from ; to satisfy these wants, some have 
been excited to enter into a larger exten- 
sion of trade and commerce, than they 
had stock and ability to conduct. Am- 



TRADE. 101 

bition and evil emulation leading into 
higher living and greater expences than 
their income would admit, their circum- 
stances thus becoming reduced, and be- 
ing unwilling to lessen their appearance 
in the world, indirect means to procure a 
temporary support have been used, w^hich 
have ended in failures and bankruptcies. 
A due subjection to the cross of Christ 
would have timely prevented this reproach 
brought upon individuals, and trouble 
on their friends ; and it would also lead 
those under wasting and deficient circum- 
stances, rather to give up their effects in 
due time, than to go on enlarging their 
debts by disreputable artifices, until they 
are stopped by unavoidable necessity, 
and plunged at once into ruin, sorrow 
and disgrace ; v/ith the painful addition of 
bringing their just creditors into grievous 
inconveniences, and some into great 

I 2 



102 TRADE. 

danger of sinking with them in the wreck 
of their affairs. 

The love of the world is the cause of 
many deviations : in some it discovers 
itself in a desire to be rich and great, 
whilst in others the worldly spirit is as 
clearly discernedj though the attention 
seems to be occupied in smaller concerns : 
and though we are clear that very exten- 
sive ones are often in themselves great 
evils, yet the trafficker in hundreds, un- 
less the eye be kept single, may be as 
much buried in the earth as the trafficker 
in thousands. 

We are not about to condemn industry, 
which we believe to be not only praise- 
worthy, but indispensable. It is the in- 
ordinate desire of the mind after worldly 
things, and the engrossment of the time 
and attention, from which we desire tliat 
all our dear Friends may be redeemed. 



TRADE. 103 

It is recommended that Friends fre- 
quently inspect the state of their affairs, 
and keep their accounts so clear and ac- 
curate, that they may at any time easily 
know whether they live within the bounds 
of their circumstances, or not ; and in 
case of death, that these may not be per. 
plexing to survivors. And when ever 
any find that they have no more proper- 
ty left than is sufficient to discharge their 
just debts, it is advised, that they imme- 
diately consultwith some j udiciou s Friends, 
and without loss of time make their cir- 
cumstances known to their creditors, 
carefully avoiding the payment of one in 
preference to another, that so none may 
be injured, nor any reproach be incurred 
by mismanagement. 

Advised, that when friends accept the 
office of trustee or assignee, they be ac- 
tive in collecting the effects of the estate. 



104 TRADE. 

and punctual and speedy in making dis- 
tribution. 

Advised, that Friends every where care- 
fully avoid being any way concerned in 
defrauding the government of its duties ; 
that so our ancient testimony in this re- 
spect may be inviolably maintained. 

We warn our members against a per- 
nicious practice amongst the trading part 
of the community, which has often issued 
in the ruin of those concerned therein, viz. 
That of raising and circulating a kind of 
paper credit, with endorsements, to give 
it an appearance of value without an in- 
trinsic reality ; a practice which, as it 
appears to be inconsistent with the truth 
we profess, we declare our disapprobation 
of, and intreat every member of our so- 
ciety to avoid and discourage it. We 
also caution all in membership with us, to 
avoid entering into joint securities with 



TRADE. 105 

Others, under the specious plea of render- 
ing acts of kindness ; many, by so doing, 
having been suddenly ruined, and their 
innocent wives and children reduced to 
deplorable circumstances. 

" Be not thou, said the wise man, one 
of them that strike hands, or of them that 
are sureties for debts. If thou hast no- 
thing to pay, why should he take away 
thy bed from under thee." 

We affectionately desire that Friends 
may wait for divine counsel in all their 
engagements, and not suffer their minds 
to be hurried away by an inordinate de- 
sire of worldly riches ; remembering 
the observ^ation of the apostle in his day, 
and so often sorrowfully verified in ours, 
^' that they who will be rich, fall into 
temptation and a snare;" and erring 
from the faith, " pierce themselves, 
through with many sorrows." Even^ 



106 TRADE. 

when riches to any extraordinary degree 
have been amassed by the successful in- 
dustry of parents, how often have they 
proved like wings to their children, car- 
rying them beyond the limitations of 
truth, into liberties repugnant to our re- 
ligious testimonies ; and sometimes into 
enterprises which have terminated in irre- 
parable damage to their temporal affairs, 
if not an entire forgetfulness of the great 
tvork of the soul's salvation ! 



WAR. 



FRIENDS are exhorted faithfully to 
adhere to our ancient testimony against 
wars and fightings, and in no way to 
unite with any in wariike measures, either 
offensive or defensive that by the inoffen- 
siveness of our conduct we may convinc* 
ingly demonstrate ourselves to be real 
subjects of the Messiah's peaceful reign, 
and be instrumental in the promotion 
thereof towards its designed comp etion ; 
when, according to ancient prophecy, 
the earth shall be full of the knowledge 
of the Lord as the waters cover the sea; 
and its inhabitants learn war no more. 



lOS WAR. 

We desire that all our members may 
beware of being induced either inadver- 
tently or for gain, in any manner to give 
countenance to the destroying practice of 
war. 

Many are the ways by which the un- 
w^ary and the covetous may be caught. 
But brethren, look beyond the surface. 
Behold the depth of misery into which 
war plunges mankind. Then putting 
your trust in liim who gives understand- 
ing to the simple, and provides for the 
sparrows, ye may avoid the pollution 
which is theirs, who join hands with 
this desolating evil. Let all'be careful 
not to seek or accept profit by any con- 
cern in preparations for war; for how 
^reproachfully inconsistent would it be^ 
to refuse an active compliance with war- 
like measures, and at the same time, not 
hesitate to enrich ourselves bv the com- 



WAR* 109 

merce aiid other circumstances depen- 
dent on war. 

This meeting fervently recommends to 
the deep attention of all our 'members, that 
they be religiously guarded against ap- 
proving or shewing the least connivance at 
war, either by attending at or viewing mi- 
litary operations, or in any wise encourag- 
ing the unstable deceitful spirit of party, 
by joining with political devices or associa- 
tions, however speciously disguised under 
the ensnaring subtleties commonly atten- 
dant thereon ; but that they sincerely la- 
bour to experience a settlement on the 
alone sure foundation of the pure un- 
changeable truth, whereby^ through the 
prevalence of unfeigned christian love and 
good will to men, we may convincingly 
demonstrate that the kingdom we seek is 
not of this world: A kingdom and go vern-^ 
ment whose subjects are free indeed ; re- 



110 WAll. 

deemed from those captivating lusts from 
whence come wars and fightings. 

As we are called out of wars and fight- 
ings, so let them be as seldom as possible 
the subjects of our conversation; but let an 
holy care rest upon us, to abide in that pow- 
er which gives dominion over the hopes 
and fears that arise from the concerns of 
an unstable world, which tend, as they are 
admitted into the mind, to lessen the 
trust on that rock which is immoveable. 



WILLS. 



KNOWING how quickly many arc 
removed by death, it is advised that Friends 
who have estates to dispose of, would make 
their wills in time of health and strength 
of judgment, and therein to direct their 
substance as in justice and wisdom may 
be to their satisfaction and peace ; laying 
aside all resentment, though occasion may 
have been given, lest it should go with 
them to the grave, remembering we all 
stand in need of mercy and forgiveness. 
Making such wills in due time can shorten 
no one's days, but the omission or delay 
thereof to a time of sickness, when the 



112 WILLS. 

mind should not be diverted from a solemn 
consideration of the approaching awful pe- 
riod of life, has often proved very injuri- 
ous to many, and been the occasion of 
creating animosities in families, which the 
seasonable and just performance of this ne- 
cessary duty might have effectually pre- 
vented. 

Andall Friends who may becomeexecu- 
tors or administrators, are advised to make 
a full, clear and perfect inventory of the 
estate and effects of the deceased, early 
after the interment, as many difficulties and 
disputes have arisen, and sometimes in- 
justice been done for want of it or by de- 
ferring it too long. 



THE END. 



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